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Where Were You On November 22-1963? Reflecting On The Day JFK Died.

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Realty 179530

John F Kennedy AssassinationDo you remember where you were when you heard President Kennedy was shot and had died 61 years ago, today, on November 22nd, 1963?

I still remember it as if it was yesterday. In fact, I find it hard to believe 61 years have passed.

61 years ago, today, I was  15 years old, a sophomore in high school, and was in a biology lab class when someone came in to announce that the President had been shot and had died. As I was attending a parochial high school, I remember quietly filing out with all my classmates to the school's chapel for prayers for the President and then an early dismissal of school.

I suspect that those of us who were of a certain age in 1963 could ever forget where we were and how we felt when we heard this news. To this day, I believe that our nation's innocence was shattered on November 22nd, 1963 and it's never been recovered.

"A new era dawned and another waned a half century ago when hope and hatred collided right here in Dallas."

... Mike Rawlings

 

My impressions of that day and the days to follow through the funeral events remain crystal clear to this day:

  • I remember how quiet we all were on the bus ride back home from school. And as we travelled via New York City public buses, the quiet on the buses was truly overwhelming.

  • I remember how quiet a bustling city like New York became for the next four days. Looking out our living room windows, all I could see was empty streets.

  • In a home where TV watching was hugely rationed, I remember how our TV went on and stayed on for the next several days. And because in those days, most people had black and white TV's, the broadcasting in grey tones truly matched the grey and sad mood of that weekend. It truly felt as if the world had gone grey. And it didn't matter what your political affiliations were.

  • I remember the funeral procession, I remember little John Kennedy saluting his father's casket, I remember the lighting of the eternal flame, I remember Jacqueline Kennedy's dignity throughout.

  • I remember going through those days feeling as if I was living in some dream state, as if what I was watching was surreal and that I would wake up and things would go back to what they were a few days earlier.

 

61 years later, I'm still amazed at the clarity with which I remember that weekend and my overwhelming feeling of quiet, sadness, and greyness. And as I think back on my life, I've realized there aren't all that many events (outside of personal ones like a wedding, death of a parent) that remain so crystal clear in my mind as to where I was when an event occurred. For me, this was the first such event, followed by the assassination of Robert Kennedy, the explosion of the Challenger, the first walk on the moon, 9/11,  and the first night of the Gulf War in 1991 (as I lived adjacent to the war theatre in the United Arab Emirates at that time).

 

"If that hadn't happened, history might have changed. He was a different kind of president."

... Michael Fontaine

 

Regardless of your political affiliation, President John F Kennedy's voice was a truly inspirational voice for its time. And in many ways, that voice has transcended its time. To this day, the only presidential inauguration speech I can recite pieces of or even remember content from is that of John F Kennedy. I recently listened to it again and could only marvel at the timelessness of its message.

 

“My fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”

... John F Kennedy

 

Remembering those days, today, 61 years later, I'm wondering how this event will be acknowledged 25 years from now. In another 25 years the people who lived through that event will probably no longer be alive. It will truly be "old" history to many who will be alive in 25 years. I am still amazed to think about how many of the people of that time are now gone--because it doesn't seem as if more than 60 years have passed. Today, 61 years later, I still feel an overwhelming sadness and sense of loss and a lot of "what ifs."

 

 "A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.”

... John F Kennedy

 

Posted by

 

 Nina Hollander, RE/MAX Broker, Realtor

 

 

 

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Disclaimer:  Nothing in this blog article is to be construed as legal advice, tax advice, or financial advice.  For legal advice see an attorney.   For tax advice or financial advice see a tax attorney, certified public accountant, or other qualified professional.

 

Show All Comments Sort:
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I am not sure but I would guess that I was in my real estate office in Portsmouth, Virginia. I felt a close connection to the family because I shared a mailbox with Ted Kennedy when we attended law school. Robert Kennedy had also attended the School of Law at UVA.

Nov 22, 2024 11:04 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Hi Roy... that is certainly a unique connection to the Kennedy family. I used to live a block away from Jacqueline Onassis and used to see her regularly on Fifth Avenue.

Nov 22, 2024 11:09 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Nina,
I was in 6th Grade choir class when the announcement came over the intercom. I really don't remember much else about that day. You have great clarity; my recollection is a blur after the announcement.

Nov 22, 2024 12:40 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Carol Williams hi Carol... I suspect that the age difference between a 6th grader and a 10th grader accounts for your lack of recollection.

Nov 22, 2024 01:20 PM
Carol Williams

You're probably right, Nina Hollander, Broker 
The difference between 12 and 15 can be significant.

Nov 22, 2024 03:31 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Nina, this was a huge event, but was only 7 years old, so did not fully understand what happened on that day until years later.

Nov 22, 2024 01:32 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Joan Cox hi Joan... I would not have expected a seven year old to have any meaningful memory of that day. For me at 15, it's stuck with clarity.

Nov 22, 2024 02:29 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Nina I still remember even though I was only in 5th grade, and we got to go home early.

Nov 22, 2024 02:17 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker

George Souto hi George... for me at the age of 15 this was a significant world occurrence that is impossible to forget.

Nov 22, 2024 02:30 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Nina Hollander, Broker  I was ten years old and living in Communist Hungary and we watched it on black and white TV because we were one of the affluent ones.... I always was obsessed with this and have about fifteen books I read about it... offline I will tell you who I think was behind it....my take is Oswald was a patsy Endre

Nov 22, 2024 09:48 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Endre Barath, Jr. good morning, Endre... like you, I've "followed" this for decades and all I will say is that I agree with your assessment of Oswald's role in this.

Nov 23, 2024 04:28 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Nina - I was in second grade, but I still remember certain parts of that day and the aftermath.  We came back from lunch or recess and our teacher, Mrs. French announced the news about the President.  

Nov 23, 2024 03:35 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Michael Jacobs good morning, Michael... at that tender age I wonder what that announcement meant to you? I was older than you during the Nixon/JFK campaign so already very aware of politics and the players. For young people JFK was truly a hero and the first of a new generation. Interestingly, Nixon was around the same age, but he seemed old to us.

Nov 23, 2024 04:30 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I was three years old so don't remember anything about that day! I was probably playing with blocks or something! :-)

Nov 23, 2024 05:02 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Kat Palmiotti good morning, Kat... for you, no doubt, this is just a piece of history. But I would guess your parents remembered that day all their lives.

Nov 23, 2024 05:37 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Nina. I am not big on memory moments. That said, I vividly remember the announcement coming over the classroom speakers, where I was sitting, what I was wearing, the emotion that filled the room and the class being dismissed. The long walk in the hallways to my locker was brutal. Some things you just never forget. 

Nov 23, 2024 05:35 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Wayne Martin hi Wayne... there are probably half a dozen big historic events like this one that remain imprinted in my memory. This was truly a seminal moment in our nation's history.

Nov 23, 2024 05:38 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I was not alive back then, but I am kind of excited about the things that RFK wants to do and I hope that he will be successful.

Nov 23, 2024 05:44 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Brian England I'm with you on that front, Brian.

Nov 23, 2024 05:51 AM
Joy Daniels
Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd. - Harrisburg, PA

He was a great man.  I was only 1.5 years old, but I do know that date that he died and when it passes, I do remember his greatness.  

Nov 23, 2024 10:50 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Joy Daniels hi Joy... certainly for many of us, JFK represented a new future, which we lost once he was assassinated.

Nov 23, 2024 12:01 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Here in Connecticut, especially the city of Waterbury, the grief was strong.  For many, he was like a family member and when one considers that he made a speech overlooking the town green at 3 AM to a crowd of 40,000 that waited for hours in a pouring rain, the mood was somber.

I was in my first year of high school and all schools were dismissed for the day.  News coverage was not that plentiful then as it is now so once we got back to the neighborhood, we went to the local park and just sat around.

Nov 23, 2024 05:11 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 good morning, Ed... we are both old enough to have clear memories of that day. And I took that so much for granted, that it always "shocks" me a bit when I come across people who have none.

Nov 24, 2024 05:33 AM
Gloria Todor
Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA
& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

Nina, Wow how time flies.  I was 6. I remember more about his funeral, because I wanted to go out to play/sled but my dad stopped me and said to sit and watch the funeral, because it was history in the making.  And I do remember that vividly.

Nov 25, 2024 01:16 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Gloria Todor hi Gloria... there were two event on my life that impacted with world where however many years pass I remember the date: November 22, 1963 and September 11, 2001.

Nov 25, 2024 02:30 PM
Adam Feinberg
Elegran - Manhattan, NY
NYC Condo, Co-op, and Townhouse Advisor

I wasn't born yet for JFK- and I was home sick from Elementary School when the Challenger exploded. 9/11 hit me hard as I was originally supposed to be in the towers that day- and instead I wound up at JPMC headquarters trading floor near GCT. 

Nov 30, 2024 06:36 PM
Lise Howe

My son was home sick for the Challenger explosion too - I put the tv on so he could watch it and as they say, the rest is history. 

Dec 01, 2024 05:37 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Adam Feinberg good morning, Adam. I can't tell you how many times I was in the Twin Towers on business in the 1980's. My brother taught school just blocks from there and one of my best friends worked in the building next door. That day hit me very hard, especially as I couldn't reach anyone I knew who worked in or near the building.

Dec 01, 2024 05:40 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Nina Hollander, Broker - what a lovely post and so true.  I think of that day every year and I am amazed too by how much time has passed and how sad that the family became what it did - Teddy.... John John and his tragic end ...  such a golden glow that flickered out.  I was in Boston waiting to get on the school bus.  It was a beautiful fall afternoon - and yes, my memories of those events are in black and white too.  I think my memories of the Challenger are in black and white because the little tv in the kitchen was still black and white.   I was in 5th grade and of course Boston lost his home town boy.  I had gone to Edward Devotion ES before I changed schools to Beaver Country Day in Chestnut HIll.  Edward Devotion was the elementary school JFK went to and his family home was about 4 blocks from where I lived.  Beaver backed up to the Catholic Cemetery and there were hopes in the Boston area that he would be buried there. 

Dec 01, 2024 05:34 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Lise Howe good morning, Lise... I don't think I'll lose the JFK assassination memories till the day I die. I still remember when Challenger exploded and where I was... I was working at M&M/Mars at the time and was in the cafeteria with some of our bankers who'd come out from NY City to see me. I even remember the dress I was wearing that day.

Dec 01, 2024 05:42 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Nina Hollander, Broker - I was home with Alex who was sick that day.  I put the tv on for him to watch the launch because that is what we did then - watch the launches because they were so special.....  that is definitely a day I will always remember

Dec 01, 2024 05:45 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Lise Howe hi Lise... I well remember how special those launches were and how we'd all stop what we were doing to watch and cheer when they went off without a hitch. I still clearly remember the first walk on the moon, as well.

Dec 01, 2024 05:49 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Nina Hollander, Broker  My dearly beloved cat, Brandy, got out (we thought) on the night that Neil Armstrong walked on the moon - I nearly missed it because I was walking through the neighborhood shaking a box of kibbles calling my cat's name.   I was sure someon was going to come out and check on me - walking the street calling "Brandy" - while the rest of the world remembers the walk on the moon, I remember my walk on Cathedral Avenue.  Fortunately I gave up, came home, found Brandy happily sitting on the chair in the front hall, and then got to watch the real event of the evening. 

Dec 01, 2024 05:59 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Lise Howe sounds like a typical cat to me, Lise! And of course you'll never forget that event as a result.

Dec 01, 2024 06:43 AM